Over a two-month shoplifting spree, the pair netted about $7,000 worth of power tools, officials said.
WAYNE -- Two men were arrested Thursday for running a shoplifting ring that netted thousands worth of power tools over the last two months, officials said.
Douglas Sabolewski (Left) and David Buczek (Right) Douglas Sabolewski, 31, of Garfield, and David Buczek were charged with numerous counts of shoplifting in the third degree, Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik said in a news release.
The thefts began on Dec. 13 at the Home Depot in Paterson where the duo took drill sets, fled through a fire door and entered into an awaiting vehicle, Berdnik said.
The thefts continued at various Home Depots throughout the county including, Passaic, Totowa and Clifton, Berdnik said.
The duo was recorded on surveillance video shoplifting about $7,000 worth of power tools, Berdnik said. The Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division began a two week investigation into the crimes. Detectives were alerted to the pair entering a Home Depot in Passaic on Thursday morning, where they were arrested.
Sabolewski was also found with several glassine envelopes of herion. Berdnik said the pair was using proceeds from the thefts to buy drugs.
"I want to commend the PCSO Detectives and Home Depot employees involved in this investigation," said Berdnik. "The suspects appeared to be committing these crimes to help support the purchasing of narcotics. Shoplifting elevates the price of products, which affects all consumers."
Both men were released pending a future court date.
Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.